Thrissur temple assistant arrested for sexual assault on Bengaluru woman

The woman had gone to the temple in Thrissur seeking divine intervention for the problems she is facing after the death of her husband. | Photo Credit: Illustration by Satheesh Vellinezhi

The Bellandur police have arrested an assistant at a temple in Thrissur, in Kerala, for allegedly sexually harassing a 38-year-old private firm employee based in Bengaluru on the pretext of performing pooja to ward off evil.

The accused, Arun T.A., is a 40-year-old BA graduate working as an assistant to the priest in Vishnu Murthy temple in Thrissur, Kerala.

According to the complaint, the woman is a field executive at a private firm. She had gone to the temple in Thrissur seeking divine intervention for the problems she is facing after the death of her husband.

Arun told her that someone had done black magic, and promised to perform a pooja to ward off evil.

He took her contact number. He allegedly started calling and harassing her sexually on video calls.

He allegedly sexually assaulted her when she had visited the temple and threatened to perform black magic on her two children if she did not co-operate. The accused allegedly recorded his act on video and blackmailed her demanding sexual favours.

The woman narrated her ordeal to her relatives and filed a complaint on June 13.

Based on the complaint, the police arrested Arun.

Published - June 16, 2025 12:21 pm IST